Kamalesh Sharma, Biswal arrive

Commonwealth Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma and the US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Nisha Biswal are here on two high profile state visits to meet the leaders of the new government.

The Commonwealth Secretary General arrived in the country yesterday on a three day official visit and the US Assistant Secretary of State is scheduled to arrive in Colombo today. She will be here till Tuesday.

A statement issued by the Commonwealth Secretariat said, 'In Colombo, Sharma will meet Sri Lanka's new President Maithripala Sirisena, who became the Commonwealth's Chair-in-Office following the recent Presidential elections. The Secretary-General will also meet Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera to discuss Commonwealth priorities as well as options for practical Commonwealth support for Sri Lanka's national priorities.' Sharma was quoted in the statement as saying, "Sri Lanka is a founding member of the modern Commonwealth, and I will be discussing how we can best support the country."

On Biswal's visit the US Department of State issuing a release said she will be accompanied by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Atul Keshap.